Apparatus for detecting a plurality of energy levels in a conductor

Abstract

Energy sensing and monitoring apparatus is disclosed which can sense a plurality of energy levels in a conductor, and provide an indication when any of such energy levels is improper. The energy sensing apparatus includes an inductive device for sensing an energy level in a conductor and for providing an input signal indicative of the energy level; a comparator for receiving the input signal, comparing the input signal to a plurality of predetermined level ranges, and providing an output signal when the input signal does not fall within at least one of the predetermined level ranges; and a power source for supplying power to the comparator.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for sensing a plurality of energy levels in a conductor, comprising: inductive means for sensing an energy level in a conductor and for providing an input signal indicative of the energy level;   comparator means for receiving the input signal, comparing the input signal to at least one predetermined level range, and providing an output signal to drive logic devices when the input signal falls within the predetermined level range;   power source means for supplying power to the comparator means;   said comparator means comprising a multi-level gate and a level selector switch;   said multi-level gate having a plurality of output terminals and each output terminal having a different, predetermined level range associated therewith;   said multi-level gate being adapted to compare the input signal to all of the predetermined level ranges associated with the output terminals and to provide an output signal to any of the output terminals when the input signal falls within the predetermined level range associated therewith;   said level selector switch being adapted to selectively connect at least one of the output terminals of the multi-level gate to an output line so as to pass the output signal therethrough.   
     
     
       2. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: values of the predetermined level ranges associated with the output terminals of the multi-level gate are non-overlapping with each other; and   said multi-level gate is adapted to automatically compare the input signal to the predetermined level ranges associated with the output terminals in a stepped manner, and to provide an output signal to one of the output terminals when the input signal falls within the predetermined level range associated with that terminal.   
     
     
       3. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said level selector switch is adapted to selectively connect different combinations of the output terminals of said multi-level gate to the output line so that the level selector switch will pass an output signal to the output line whenever the multi-level gate provides the output signal to one of the connected output terminals.   
     
     
       4. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the predetermined level range associated with one of the output terminals of the multi-level gate has very low parameters so that the multi-level gate that will provide an output signal to that terminal when the input signal indicates a substantially zero energy level in the conductor.   
     
     
       5. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said comparator means further comprises an adjustment means which can be selectively set to numerous positions for thereby selectively changing the predetermined level ranges associated with the output terminals of the multi-level gate.   
     
     
       6. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein; said apparatus further includes means for modifying the input signal before it is received by said multi-level gate such that the input signal will be modified to indicate at least a minimum energy level in the conductor.   
     
     
       7. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said modifying means includes means for applying a zero bias signal to the input signal.   
     
     
       8. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 7, said energy sensing apparatus further comprising: detector means connected to said comparator means through said output line for receiving said output signal therefrom; and   indicator means connected to said detector means for receiving an enable signal therefrom;   said detector means being adapted to provide said enable signal to said indicator means whenever it does not receive the output signal from the comparator means.   
     
     
       9. Apparatus for sensing a plurality of energy levels in a conductor, comprising: inductive means for sensing an energy level in a conductor and for providing an input signal indicative of the energy level;   comparator means for receiving the input signal, comparing the input signal to at least one predetermined level range, and providing an output signal when the input signal falls within the predetermined level range;   power source means for supplying power to the comparator means;   means for modifying the input signal before it is received by the comparator means such that the input signal will be modified to indicate at least a minimum energy level in the conductor;   said modifying means including means for applying a zero bias signal to the input signal;   detector means connected to said comparator means through an output line for receiving an output signal therefrom;   indicator means connected to said detector means for receiving an enable signal therefrom;   said detector means being adapted to provide said enable signal to said indicator means whenever it does not receive the output signal from the comparator means;   timer means connected to said comparator means and to said detector means, said timer means being adapted to be actuated whenever it does not receive the output signal from the comparator means and to provide a timer signal to said detector means a predetermined time thereafter; and   said detector means being adapted to provide said enable signal to said indicator means whenever it receives the timer signal, but does not simultaneously receive the output signal.   
     
     
       10. Energy sensing apparatus for sensing a plurality of energy levels in a conductor, comprising:   inductive means for sensing an energy level in a conductor and for providing an input signal indicative of said energy level;   comparator means for receiving said input signal, comparing said input signal to a plurality of predetermined level ranges and providing an output signal when said input signal falls within at least one of said predetermined level ranges;   detector means connected to said comparator means for receiving the output signal therefrom;   indicator means connected to said detector means for receiving an enable signal therefrom;   said detector means being adapted to provide said enable signal to said indicator means whenever it does not receive the output signal from said comparator means;   power supply means for providing power to said comparator means, said detector means and said indicator means:   timer means connected to said comparator means for receiving the output signal therefrom, and also connected to said detector means and said power supply means, said timer means being adapted to be actuated whenever it does not receive the output signal from said comparator means and to provide a timer signal to said detector means a predetermined time thereafter;   said detector means being adapted to provide said enable signal to said indicator means whenever it receives said timer signal, but does not simultaneously receive said output signal.   
     
     
       11. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: said comparator means includes a multi-level gate and a level selector switch;   said multi-level gate having a plurality of output terminals and a predetermined level range associated with each output terminal, said multi-level gate being adapted to compare said input signal to the predetermined level ranges and to provide an output signal to any of the output terminals if the input signal falls within the predetermined level range associated therewith; and   said level selector switch being adapted to selectively connect various combinations of the output terminals of said multi-level gate to an output line leading from said comparator means.   
     
     
       12. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: said comparator means further includes an adjustment means for selectively changing the predetermined level ranges associated with the output terminals of said multi-level gate.   
     
     
       13. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: one of the predetermined level ranges has a very low value so that the multi-level gate will provide an output signal to the output terminal associated with that predetermined level range when the input signal indicates a substantial zero energy level in the conductor.   
     
     
       14. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: said apparatus further comprises means for modifying the input signal before it is received by the comparator means such that the input signal will indicate at least a minimum energy level in the conductor.   
     
     
       15. Energy sensing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: said modifying means includes means for generating a zero bias signal and for applying the zero bias signal to the input signal.